The 1-2-3 of Choosing the Right School

The 1-2-3 of Choosing the Right School

One of the biggest decisions you’ll ever make as a parent is which school to send your child to. Whether you’re sending your baby to day care or looking for a stimulating environment for your toddler, choosing the right school can be very daunting, especially for first time parents. Leaving your precious baby in someone else’s care can cause you to freak out – and rightfully so! But don’t let it be something that causes unnecessary anxiety. If you do your research and you feel comfortable with the teacher, then you are probably on the right track.

Here are a few guidelines you can follow when you start the search for a new school:

1. Unscheduled visit
Arrive at the school without making an appointment at first. They’ll probably ask you to schedule an appointment with the ‘headmaster/owner’ but this will give you a good idea of how things are run when no one is expected. When you make an appointment, they’ll anticipate your visit.

2. Security
Check out the security measures in place. Locks on the gates, access control, alarm systems and cameras are all things that you can look out for. Making sure your child is safe during the day should be your number one priority.

3. Teacher to child ratio
Make sure that each class has enough care takers per child. A good average is 1 caretaker per 4 children. This is especially important when you are sending your baby to day care as babies have more needs to be taken care of. Just think of the chaos 10 babies can cause during feeding and changing time.

4. Activity plan
Consider your reason for sending your child to school – if it is for him/her to be stimulated and challenged intellectually than look for a school that has a big emphasis on their curriculum or activity plan. If you are sending your toddler to socialise, a more relaxed environment with a bigger emphasis on playing and developing social skills may be a better fit.

5. Good old mother’s intuition
Trust your gut! This is very important. Always rely on your motherly instincts, if something tells you this is not the right place for your child then it probably isn’t. You shouldn’t feel the least bit of discomfort when dropping your kid off at school. So, trust that little voice inside of you.

It’s also important to know that no one child is the same and the school that worked for your first child won’t necessarily be the right fit for your other children. Finances, schedules and location all play a role in making the right decision. You need to find a school that will make your life easier and make your family happier.

Good luck with the search – we hope you find the perfect school for your little one!